Email should not be considered private.  As a general rule, if there is something you do not want anyone else to know, don't put it in an email.

As far as management reserving the right to read email, they already have that right.  Courts have rule many times that the computer belongs to the company and so does all files on it.

You should have a "Personal Use" policy.  Without one you really can't tell someone to stop using it for personal business.  

You also need to have guidelines for web access.  No porno, etc.  You would think that most people would have enough sense not to get involved in such things.  But the actions of one person can get the company sued.

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From:   Simpkins, Terry
Sent:   Thursday, November 19, 1998 2:14 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        E-mail privacy

Since I got such fast (and useful) help on the last previous problem of the day,
I think I'll push my luck.

My Human Resources department has asked for my input on a policy statement
regarding privacy of e-mail within our company.  Being the "less government is better
government" type that I am, I created a very broad couple of statements that said
something like this:

E-mail should be thought of as being as private as things in a locked file cabinet.
The company reserves the right to examine it like any other company property if needed.
It takes the approval of the VP - HR and Director of ISIT to get into someones e-mail, and
will only be done for "good cause".

I purposefully avoided the issue of "personal use", etc.  Since I didn't want to even think
about being in the "email police" business.  Well you guessed it, there are some people
who are being "unreasonable" and are sending things that are not very appropriate.
Anyone have examples of a policy they think is pretty good and that they are will to share?

*******************************
Terry W. Simpkins
Director ISIT
Lucas Control Systems
[log in to unmask]
*******************************